Boston hotel owner Elena Whitmore has long suspected that her husband Derek, who died in a yacht accident three years ago, is still alive. She selects Nolan Price—the son of the accident's captain—from her dating list and proposes a 30-day marriage contract that either party can terminate at any time. She announces a public wedding at the Whitmore Grand, using her new husband to force her controlling, presumed-dead husband to respond. White roses, an old wedding ring, a yacht key, and a recording left by Arthur gradually uncover the truth behind Derek's faked death, while Nolan discovers he was bait from day one. After losing Nolan, Elena publicly admits to her manipulation and concealment, returning the true right to exit. Nolan, in turn, abandons the idea of selectively whitewashing his father and voluntarily returns to the wedding with the complete recording. In the end, Derek appears in person and incriminates himself in front of everyone. Elena first ends the bait marriage, then begins her first real date with Nolan—as free and equal individuals.
